In the Company of Men . Memphis Flyer . 09-29-97

In the Company of Men

DIRECTED BY: Neil LaBute

REVIEWED: 09-29-97

In the Company of Men has garnered some controversy for its depiction of cruelty. But this controversy serves writer/director Neil Labute well for two reasons. First, it provides publicity for his small film. Second, it's an indicator of how ably he presents the dark side of man.

In the Company of Men revolves around two businessmen, Chad (Aaron Eckhart) and Howard (Matt Malloy), who are sent for six weeks to their company's branch office. Over drinks, the two men moan about their recent failed relationships and rail about the duplicity of women. Riled up, Chad hatches a plan. He suggests they use their six weeks away to settle the score by finding a vulnerable woman, perhaps one who doesn't date much, both of them wine and dine her and then, just before they return, viciously dump her.

Chad happens upon their prey almost immediately, the deaf Christine (Stacy Edwards), who works in the typing pool. As the weeks tick off, both Howard and Chad, especially Chad, have sufficiently charmed her. And as the men periodically confer about their project, each man professes to liking Christine.

Eckhart is excellent as Chad, a man no one would ever want to turn his back on. He's the type of controlling jerk who uses his easy approachable laugh to win over his coworkers, then turns around and calls them fuckers when they've left the room. His manner with Christine -- his words of trust and love -- is particularly chilling considering the path he's taking her down. Malloy, as Howard, works as Chad's counterpart. He's the chump susceptible to peer pressure, who doesn't realize that if his friend can do this to Christine, he may have a deceit or two aimed at him. Serving as the only sympathetic character, Edwards holds her own among the men and gives Christine a delicate dignity.

Labute effectively delivers his story of manipulation. And just when you find yourself thinking that these men are creeps, but so what?, he digs in a little deeper. In the Company of Men isn't always easy to watch, but it will stay with you.

--Susan Ellis

Full Length Reviews
In the Company of Men
In the Company of Men
In the Company of Men
In the Company of Men

Capsule Reviews
In the Company of Men
In the Company of Men
In the Company of Men

Other Films by Neil LaBute
Your Friends and Neighbors

Film Vault Suggested Links
Dead Man Walking
White Man's Burden
Blue Collar

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